Governor Christie attends the ceremonial swearing in of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

They sit on opposite sides of the political aisle, but Governor Christie stood alongside Steven Fulop as he pledged to support Jersey City’s new mayor during his swearing in ceremony Monday night.

Christie, a Republican seeking a second term in office, said New Jersey cannot be successful without its cities thriving. His offered Fulop some words of advice and his support as the Democrat takes over the state’s second largest city.

“The best advice I can give to anyone holding the position that you now hold is to do the right thing by the people who gave you this opportunity,” Christie said, the crowd of thousands cheering from the street.

“I am incredibly, incredibly excited to see such a great crowd here today to witness this change over in office and I hope to be there to support the mayor in the endeavors he is now about to pursue, on behalf of the people of this great state,” Christie said.

The governor sat alongside Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, who was next to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-Hudson, on a small stage. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, D-Essex – one of four candidates in the Democratic primary to fill the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s seat – sat behind Christie.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who is also running for Lautenberg’s seat, also attended the ceremony outside City Hall, but he was not introduced and did not get a seat on stage. Christie’s Democratic challenger, Barbara Buono, a Middlesex County state senator, also went without introduction. Buono sat with a number of state, county and local officials including Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., Assemblyman Troy Singleton, D-Hudson, Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union and Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, who recently became chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Committee.

Fulop, a Democrat, has yet to endorse in the governor’s race. If he were to back Christie, he’d join more than 30 other Democrats who have supported the popular Republican. On The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC Monday morning, Fulop said he wouldn’t endorse until after Labor Day.

“It is a tough one from my standpoint, where from a principle standpoint I really am progressive and think where Barbara Buono is on most of those issues really is the right place to be,” Fulop told Lehrer. “That said, Gov. Christie has been very helpful for Jersey City. Some of the school reforms that we got there would not have happened without him, some of the companies that have moved from New York City over to New Jersey, particularly Jersey City, would not have happened without his vision.”

Fulop also said Christie called him before the election to wish him luck and congratulated him afterwards.

Menendez, who authored a comprehensive immigration bill the Senate passed last week, said he and Fulop are both children of immigrants, who came to America to give their children a better life.

“With the new mayor’s swearing in at this moment in time we’re reminded of our families, of our hopes and aspirations as a community for Jersey City, for its future, its citizens and for all those who may soon become citizens like Mayor Fulop’s family and mine when my mother came here and gave me a chance to be part of this great American dream,” Menendez said.

He added, “Mayor Fulop’s swearing in is about the fulfillment of personal dreams and the hope, I am sure, his parents placed in him, the opportunity they gave him to help him succeed. It is that aspiration of each and every mother and father here in Jersey City. He has done them proud.”

Fulop said his priorities are education, workforce training and attracting private investment to the city.

“From this day forward, my administration will be forged in the valued idea of Jersey City not only as a place of hope, but also of opportunity,” Fulop said.

He also referenced the past corruption that has plagued the city – members of the previous mayor’s administration were arrested in a corruption sting that Christie was involved in as U.S. Attorney.

“My commitment is to lead ethical and competent city government,” he said.

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The Bloggers

Melissa Hayes, who has worked at The Record since 2010, covers Gov. Chris Christie and politics for the State House Bureau. Follow her on Twitter at @Record_Melissa. View all of her posts

Herb Jackson is the Washington correspondent for The Record, covering North Jersey issues on the Potomac, including the activities of the congressional delegation and federal policies that affect the region. Follow him on Twitter @Record_DC.View all of his posts.

John Reitmeyer, a reporter in the State House Bureau since 2007, focuses on taxes, state budgets, campaign finance and government ethics. Follow him on Twitter @JohnReitmeyer. View all of his posts

Charles Stile is the political columnist for The Record. He is a former State House Bureau chief at The Record and has covered politics and government in New Jersey for more than two decades. Follow him on Twitter @PoliticalStile. View all of his posts